No Room in Australia for Anti-semitism, Premier Says; Assures Jews

February 3, 1960

SYDNEY (Feb. 2)

Premier R. G. Menzies declared in Canberra that there was “absolutely no room in Australia for anti-Semitism” and that there was no evidence that sporadic anti-Jewish incidents were the result of an organized campaign.

He said he wanted to reassure “many Jewish fellow-citizens” who “are genuinely distressed at recent events” that there was no “real substance” for such fears. He added that attempts to create anti-Jewish feelings in Australia were doomed to failure.

“It may be that the sporadic actions were those of irresponsible on the lunatic fringe or it may be that those seeking to divide our country, use this as one means,” he said. “So far there is no evidence that there is an organized campaign but we are watching closely.